Áras Attracta investigation
Senator Healy Eames seeks an explanation for the abuse at Áras Attracta and calls for effective oversight of private hospitals and nursing homes.
I apologise to the Deputy Leader for being unable to be present for the statements on the care home yesterday evening. My one question, which the Deputy Leader might put to the Minister as something that would form part of any inquiry, is to establish in some way why staff acted like that. It is unbelievable that so many coalesced in that and as to why the staff acted like that, I heard someone on "Morning Ireland" suggest they simply were there for too long. However, feedback in this respect will be important to ensure this culture will never be repeated. The question on everyone's mind at present is, in how many other places is this going on? I was really pleased to hear the Ombudsman, Mr. Tyndall, speaking on radio this morning. He has a huge amount to offer this country-----
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----- and with the experience he is bringing is an amazing man. However, it really has touched me that at present, there is no one to check any private health establishment in Ireland, including private hospitals and private nursing homes. I have approached the Ombudsman about something else in this area over which he had no remit. He has come back with a different slant this morning and I would like to know more about it. Will the Deputy Leader follow up on this? I cannot emphasise how important this is and have found it difficult to speak on it. The issue of what happened at St. Attracta's home, Swinford, has silenced me.